Mayo broadcaster's first children's book 'rich in imagination'

Mayo broadcaster Peter Killeen has launched his first children's book, 'The Adventures of Cranuck the Wilderbeest'.

Published by Mayo Press Books, it is rich in imagination and will be loved by children of all ages.

Speaking at the launch at Bridge St., Castlebar, Peter, a long-serving presenter with Community Road Castlebar (CRCfm) revealed he has a vivid imagination and when he encounters common every-day situations, little ideas often pop into his head of how he could twist them around into plots for short stories.

"I always had the notion that I would write adventure stories for pre and early teens, but I had not the faintest idea of how to go about writing a story for young children which often involve cuddly bears, heroic dogs, even rats, badgers and otters and duck, as far as I was concerned.

"But then one day, out of some long-forgotten nook in my imagination, came the little creature called Cranuck, a newly-born wildebeest.

"He reminded me that I considered his family to be ugly and he challenged me to turn him into a cuddly hero.

"I looked at him in the corner of the portal of my imagination and he looked at me - and his story just rolled out before me.

"I became his biographer and he brought me into his world and, as his story unfolded, I discovered that Cranuck is not just a hero but a cuddly super-hero!

"It's a small book but big in its portrayal of courage in adversity and determination in the face of overwhelming odds."

The Adventutres of Cranuck the Wildebeest is, Peter pointed out, "suitable for children of all ages from three to 99."

The four chapters lead the reader on trails of adventures in a land "very far removed from our own."

Peter paid special tribute to the book's illustrator, Karen O'Brien, and to the team at Mayo Books Press for their wonderful support.

The book was launched by Peter's friend, John Healy, who stated that his own research revealed that children loved the book for three reasons.

Firstly, they found Cranuck to be a very credible character.

Secondly, the book contains many life lessons and, finally, it highlights the beauty of nature but also the serious worldwide threat to it.

It is on sale at local outlets and deserves to find its way into lots of Mayo Christmas stockings this festive season.